Q: Thank you for your great insights and all that you do for the Church. If I were to convalidate the marriage of a Catholic and a baptized Christian, and receive that Christian into the Church at the same Mass, which would you do first? Witness the marriage, then Profession of Faith and Confirmation? Or vice versa? Or does it really matter? Thank you. == A: I generally think it’s better to keep these celebrations separate, if possible. That allows them to be celebrated with their full integrity—especially with the appropriate readings and presidential prayers. But if there is a …
Baptized non-Catholic in RCIA
Q: I have a different liturgical question for you. I have someone who is a baptized non-Catholic in RCIA. They will be done very soon with RCIA because her classes started late last year, then the lockdown happened, so it was greatly delayed. Am I right to think that she will have to profess the Faith first, be Confirmed second, have her first Confession next, then have her first Holy Communion? All in that order? == A: We usually hear the confession of a baptized non-Catholic just before the Rite of Reception. Confession is permitted for baptized non-Catholics under certain …
History of the slap
Q: When I attended a lecture by the late Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB many year ago, he said that the slap used to be a light touch to the cheek of a kid, as a sign of peace by the bishop. But later “the slap” was connected to “knighting” as the Latin Mass Society said in their website. Do you know where I can find the origin of Fr. Anscar saying? Peace to you from Hong Kong. === A: I treated this in my book Ages of Initiation. The slap came from the 13th-century Pontifical of William Durandus. Here’s my translation of …
Children and initiation
I guess you sent out some canon law quotes relating to RCIA recently, and they seem to say that any child of the age of reason should receive all the sacraments of initiation. In the past when we have asked about this, you have said that it is a pastoral call on whether the child is ready to be prepared. My pastor would like some clarification – we currently have a child in 3rd grade that we were going to only do Baptism to allow her more time to learn about the faith. You had advised us in the past …
Oil of Chrism
Q: I believe I remember you writing at some point that there is a request in to the Vatican about using an implement to administer the oil of chrism for confirmation so that the thumb does not need to be used. Has there been any word on this yet? Thank you! == A: Yes, we have an answer, though it went in a private correspondence from the Vatican to bishops. At least one diocese has published it online here: https://www.cathdal.org/USCCB-Confirmation-Letter-20200602.pdf. The use of an instrument does not affect the validity of the sacrament. The minister may continue to use his thumb, but …
Combined liturgies
Q: We are having a discussion about whether the celebrations of Admission to Candidacy (separate candidates) and the celebration of the Installation of Readers and Acolyte can be celebrated in the same liturgy. We know a candidate can not receive admission and installation all at one time, but can the two rituals take place at the same time? == A: I don’t know of anything forbidding it. But there are no guidelines explaining how to do it either. We have a few combined liturgies in the liturgical books: baptism and the rite of reception at the Easter Vigil is perhaps …
Sacrilege
Q: Can you please settle a bet? Following a Confirmation as the vessels were being cleaned, I noticed some residue of Sacred Chrism in the bottom of the bowl. I dipped my thumb in and rubbed it on my hands and forehead. Someone said this was “Sacrilege”, I would like to hear your thoughts. Thank you! == A: Catechism 2120 says this: “Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament …
Sponsor at Baptism
Q: A deacon was asked to be sponsor at Baptism. I wonder if he can do so if he is the minister of the baptism? I heard two views on this, and so I ask for some clarity. One answer said he CAN be a sponsor provided he is not the minister of the baptism.Another answer I heard said that when a deacon (or priest) is the officiant and the sponsor, he designates a proxy for the godparent during the rite of baptism.So…which is the “good answer?” Moreover, another question…If someone is a catechumen, can he have one sponsor for baptism …
Reading of the names
Q: Thank you for your availability to us. Normally, parishes read the names of the confirmandi aloud as part of their presentation of students to the Bishop. Given the uniqueness of our current situation and the fact that our Bishop has given the indult to pastors to confirm, is this reading of the names still required? My thanks! == A: Here’s what the Rite of Confirmation says in #21, which envisions a bishop presiding: “The candidates for Confirmation are presented by the Pastor or another Priest, or by a Deacon, or even by a catechist, in accordance with the custom …
Vestments for First Communion
Q: We will finally have First Communion on Sat. morning June 27. Are vestments white or green?? == A: On that Saturday, the priest may wear white. First Communion has no ritual book in the same way as baptism, confirmation, weddings and funerals do, for example. The Roman Missal has no Ritual Mass for First Communion, probably because the ceremony grew up in popular piety, not by Vatican authorization, and the point is that the children receive communion, which is the point of any mass. However, the Lectionary DOES include a section among the Ritual Masses called “First Communion for …